Dates back to 1617 & features numerous multicolored windows, a minaret with a lookout spot & a courtyard with several tombs. Although the original Ottoman mosque was heavily damaged during the attacks of the 1990s it has been restored
2/ The Shah Jahan Mosque, Woking, England
This is the first purpose built mosque that was built in the UK.
It was built in 1889 by Dr Gottlieb Wilhelm Leitner, an orientalist of Jewish descent from Hungary. Money was donated by Begum Shah Jahan, the Nawab Begum of Bhopal.
3/ The Bibi-Heybat Mosque, Baku, Azerbaijan
The existing structure, built in the 1990s, is a recreation of the mosque with the same name built in the 13th century by Shirvanshah Farrukhzad II Ibn Ahsitan II, which was completely destroyed by the Bolsheviks in 1936
4/ Essalam Mosque, Rotterdam, Netherlands
Built in 2010, Essalam is the largest 'Islamic church' in the Netherlands and the whole of Western Europe - accommodating 3,000 worshippers.
5/ Cologne Central Mosque, Germany
Built in 2009 it is the largest & grandest mosque in Germany. Cologne mosque is now regarded as a symbol of integration and symbol of the birth of German mosque architecture. The mosque is mainly characterized by the large dome.
6/ Cambridge Central Mosque, Cambridge, England
Completed in 2019. Europe’s first eco-sustainable mosque, its design incorporates local architecture, Islamic motifs & the use of timber to create interwoven pillars, with a glistening dome
7/ Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Built in the 16th century, it is the largest historical mosque in Bosnia & Herzegovina & one of the most representative Ottoman structures in the Balkans Gazi Husrev-bey Mosque is a masterpiece of Ottoman architecture
8/ Blue Mosque, Yerevan, Armenia
Commissioned by Huseyn Ali Khan, the khan of the Iranian Erivan Khanate & completed in 1766. It was the largest of the eight mosques of Yerevan in the 19th century & is the only active mosque in Armenia today. It is renowned for its blue
9/ The Ibrahim-al-Ibrahim Mosque, Gibraltar
Also known as the King Fahd bin Abdulaziz al-Saud Mosque or the Mosque of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques. It is located at Europa Point in the British overseas territory of Gibraltar, a peninsula connected to southern Spain.
10/ Central Mosque of St. Petersburg, Russia
When opened in 1913, it was the largest mosque in Europe outside Turkey, its minarets 49 meters in height and the dome is 39 meters high. It can accommodate up to 5000 worshippers & is renowned for its beautiful blue tiles
11/ Küçük Pasha Hasan Mosque, Chania, Island of Crete, Greece
The building was originally constructed as a mosque after the conquest of Chania by Ottoman Empire in 1645 to honor Küçük Hasan Pasha. After the Greco-Turkish population exchange in 1923 the mosque ceased to function.
12/ The Ebu Bekër Mosque, Shkodër, Albania
Built from 1994-1995 on the site of the old Fushë Çela Mosque, which was destroyed during the communist era, with funding from Saudi entrepreneur Sheikh Zamil Abdullah Al-Zamil. It is named after Abu Bakr, the first Rashidun caliph.
13/ The Ar-Rahma Mosque, Kyiv, Ukraine
The biggest mosque in the Ukrainian capital of Kiev. It was completed in 2011 and can accommodate 3000 worshippers.
The first attempt to build a mosque in Kyiv was in 1897 when a house was used as a place of prayer.
14/ The Mosque of Rome, Italy
situated in Parioli, Rome, it is the largest mosque in the western world with an area of 30,000 m² and can accommodate more than 12,000 people. The building is located in the Acqua Acetosa area, at the foot of the Monti Parioli, north of the city.
15/ The Malmö Mosque, Sweden
The second oldest mosque in Sweden. It is located in Jägersro villastad, a neighbourhood in Husie, Malmö. It was inaugurated on 20 April 1984 and is administered by the organization Islamic Center
16/ The Defterdar Mosque, Greece
Situated in Eleftherias’ square. The Financial Minister (Defterdar) of the Ottoman Empire Ibrahim Efendi built it at the end of the 18th century. It is a two-storey edifice of the same style and probably of the same time as the Lozia Mosque.
17/ The Great Mosque of Córdoba, Spain
Known locally as Mezquita-Catedral, it is one of the oldest structures still standing from the time Muslims ruled Al-Andalus (Muslim Iberia including most of Spain, Portugal, and a small section of Southern France) in the late 8th century.
18/ Selimiye Mosque, Nicosia, Cyprus
The standout feature is that it looks like a Christian cathedral – as that’s what it was built as. It was originally called the Cathedral of Saint Sophia, when the Ottomans besieged Nicosia in 1570 the cathedral was converted into a mosque.
19/ The Grand Mosque of Constanța, Romania
Commissioned in 1910 by Romanian King Carol I. Construction began on 24 June 1910 finished in 1912. The mosque is referred to by Constanța's Islamic community as the King's Mosque.
20/ Dzhumaya Mosque, Plovdiv, Bulgaria.
Its Turkish name is Hüdavendigâr Camii or Cuma Camii. The mosque is located in the centre of Plovdiv & was built in 1363–1364 on the site of the Sveta Petka Tarnovska Cathedral Church after the conquest of Plovdiv by the Ottoman army.
21/ The Zagreb Mosque, Zagreb, Croatia
The largest mosque in Croatia. The Islamic Secondary School "Dr. Ahmed Smajlović" and a cultural centre operate within the mosque. The construction began in 1981 and finished in 1987.
22/ Westermoskee or Ayasofya Camii, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Situated on the bank of the canalized river Schinkel in the Chassébuurt in De Baarsjes in the borough of Amsterdam-West. With a capacity of 1700 people, it is the largest mosque in the Netherlands
23/ The Great Mosque of Paris, France
The architecture & garden of the Mosque is inspired by the Alhambra in Grenada; the patio is surrounded by finely sculpted arches. The mosque was built to pay tribute to the 100,000 Muslim fighters who died for France in the First World War.
24/ The Mosque of Cristo de la Luz, Toledo, Spain
It has remained nearly unchanged since its construction in 999 & is the only remaining former Moorish Mosque in the city. Originally named the Mezquita Bab-al-Mardum, it is located near the 14th century Puerta del Sol.
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Lubna of Córdoba, originally a slave in the 10th century, rose to become a prominent figure in history.
She served as the secretary to Caliph Al-Hakam II and played a pivotal role in creating the renowned library of Medina Azahara, which housed over 500,000 books.
Moroccan design is all about colour, texture & fluid lines. It is a unique blend of North African, Mediterranean & Islamic styles, creating a distinctive look, which has inspired artists & designers all over the world.
A thread on the art of Moroccan design aesthetics...
1/ City planning, military architecture, urban casbahs, and the intricate beauty of Moroccan carpets, woodwork, and zellij tilework are all part of this distinctive and brilliant world of art.
Moroccan aesthetics continues to influence artists and designers all over the world…
2/ Some of the readily recognized features of Moroccan design include Islamic geometric patterns, vivid colors, and zillij tiles. Zillij tiles are terra cotta tile-work of enamel chips set in plaster to create mosaic geometric shapes…
Arabic calligraphy is the most highly regarded element of Islamic art, as it is the language of Qur’an. The script has the potential for creating ornamental forms
Today, the art of Arabic calligraphy continues. Here are 20 contemporary artists redefining calligraphy
A thread...
1/ Influenced by her British and Pakistani heritage, artist Maaida Noor combines ancient techniques with modern expression. Through her work, she aims to reconnect with nature and spirituality, using harmonious geometries and vibrant colors as her language.
2/ Born in Tehran, @snasernia
began his career primarily as a calligrapher & typography artist. He turns Arabic letters into an abstract language, creating a new concept called Crazy Kufik & deconstructs the rules of Arabic & Persian writing
It is believed 2000 years ago in Persia, Arabs who conquered the Persian Empire enriched the recipe of snow chilled honey with milk & sugar #IceCreamDay
For #WorldIceCreamDay here are 25 frozen treats from Muslim cultures…
A thread…
1/ Es Doger, Indonesia
Made of shaved ice, coconut milk, coco pandan syrup, fermented sticky rice & fermented cassava. It is popular in Bandung, West Java & comes from Cirebon. Its name is derived from ‘es dorong gerobak’, which translates as ‘carousel-pushed ice.’#IceCreamDay
2/ Dondurma Ice Cream, Turkey
Dondurma is a Turkish mastic ice cream, typically including the ingredients cream, whipped cream, salep, mastic, and sugar. It is believed to originate from the city and region of Maraş and hence also known as Maraş ice cream #IceCreamDay
Chess is a significant part of Muslim history. The game originated in northern India in the 6th century AD & spread to Persia. When the Arabs conquered Persia, chess was taken up by the Muslim world
For #WorldChessDay here is the history of chess & Muslim heritage
A thread...
1/ The Indian ancestor of Chess was called chaturanga, developed in the 6th century AD meaning “4 Members”, it comes from the 4 military divisions of the Indian army: infantry, cavalry, elephantry, & chariotry.
Two women play Chaturanga, c. 1805 — c. 1815
#WorldChessDay
2/ Eventually, the game spread to Persia. After the Islamic Conquest of Persia, the game spread westward & a large portion of the Arabian population began to take up chess where it became known as Shatranj
Chess Piece as Seated Man, 13th c. Iran @KhaliliOnline
#WorldChessDay